DC Universe Online - PC - Preview 2

It’s been almost a year since the
last look at SOE’s pending massively multiplayer online game based on the DC
comics universe – and aptly entitled DC Universe Online. Well, DCUO was back at
E3 this year in the Los Angeles Convention Center and this time it was playable.

For those that don’t know what the
game is about, here are the key features, as published in a SOE press release:

DCUO is an action-focused
superhero game in a fully-realized DC Universe.

Players can experience the
intensity of a 3D world created in the artistic vision of legendary comic-book
artist Jim Lee and WildStorm Productions.

DCUO uses a state-of-the-art
physics engine that turns the world into your weapon.

Players will be able to create
their own custom hero or villain and will embark on story-driven adventures
penned by famous DC writers.

DCUO game play is being optimized
for the PC and PS3.

The DCUO game world’s depth will
span the entire DC Universe, including the key cities of Gotham and
Metropolis.

Wes Yanagi, a senior producer
conducting the tour of the game, said one of the key elements of the game was to
allow players “to establish your own legacy in the DC Universe.” Players will
work through missions, often alongside some of the legendary comic book heroes,
and then – depending on if they are playing a hero (players can also create and
play as villains) – can be invited to join the Justice League.

All the missions in the game will
have various achievements and encounter loot, and players can level, and through
the leveling process they can further customize their characters through the
skill trees.

While much of the game is still
being developed and elements were not finalized for inclusion in the E3 display,
the UI is (so far) simple and players can slot up to four powers as well as four
consumables or buffs. (If you think in terms of the PS3 controller, and
assigning skills to the hot buttons, then four is the base number).

Even though the game is a long ways from finished, the graphics
were smooth and taking a custom character into combat alongside Batman, Superman
and Wonder Woman (in different sections of the mission map) was a nice
experience.